The right wheel cap for your car is the one whose size matches the rim diameter, which is the number after R in the tyre size: a 165/80 R14 tyre needs a 14 inch wheel cap. Copy it from the tyre's side wall or the door frame label on the driver side and most of the job is done.
Wheel caps, also called wheel covers or hubcaps, are the plastic discs that dress up steel wheels on lower variants of many cars. They are also the small centre caps on alloys and the metal covers on truck and bus hubs. This guide covers all three, shows how to fit a cap so it stays on over speed breakers, and links to the page for your model. For wheels themselves, start at our alloy wheels guide.
At a glance
- Size ruleCap size = rim diameter = number after R in the tyre size
- Common car sizes12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 inch
- Alloy centre capMeasured in mm across the clip ring or bore opening
- FittingLine the valve notch up with the valve, then press in evenly
- Falls off becauseWrong size, broken clips or a pothole hit
- Original vs aftermarketOriginal copies the factory design and clip layout exactly
Three things people mean by wheel cap
- Full wheel cover: a plastic disc that covers the whole face of a steel wheel. This is what most car owners mean, and what breaks or gets lost on potholed roads.
- Alloy wheel cap: a small centre cap that plugs the hole in the middle of an alloy wheel and hides the hub nut area. Also called an alloy wheel hub cap.
- Hub cap on trucks and buses: a metal or plastic dome that covers the hub and axle end of a commercial vehicle wheel, often bolted or pressed on.
Each type is sized differently, so check which one you need before visiting a parts shop.
How to find the right wheel cap size
- Read the tyre size on the sidewall, for example 155/80 R13.
- Whatever follows the R is your rim size, 13 inches in this case. That is your wheel cap size.
- If the tyre has been changed to an odd size, go by the driver door label or the owner's manual instead.
- For variants with different wheels, make sure you are looking at the tyre on the steel rim, not a spare or an alloy.
A 14 inch cap will not fit a 13 inch wheel however hard you push, and forcing it breaks the clips. Our wheel cap size chart has more detail, including how to measure a rim with no tyre markings.
Wheel cap pages for each model
Pick your vehicle to see its rim size, cap size and fitting notes. Each page also covers the variants that come with alloys instead.
| Type | Model pages |
|---|---|
| Hatchbacks | Alto 800 wheel cap, Alto wheel cap, Alto K10 wheel cap, 800 wheel cap, Wagon R wheel cap, Swift wheel cap, Baleno wheel cap, Eon wheel cap, i10 wheel cap, Grand i10 Nios original wheel cap, Santro Xing wheel cap, i20 wheel cap, Tiago wheel cap, Kwid wheel cap |
| Sedans | Swift Dzire wheel cap, Aura original wheel cap, Etios wheel cap |
| SUVs and crossovers | Punch wheel cap, Exter wheel cap, Fronx wheel cap, Brezza wheel cap, Nexon wheel cap, Venue wheel cap, Kiger wheel cap, Magnite wheel cap, Creta wheel cap, Bolero wheel cap, Scorpio wheel cap, Scorpio N wheel cap, Thar Roxx wheel cap, XUV500 wheel cap |
| MPVs and vans | Ertiga wheel cap, Triber wheel cap, Innova wheel cap, Eeco wheel cap, Omni wheel cap |
| Commercial and three wheelers | Bolero Pickup wheel cap, Ace wheel cap, Auto rickshaw wheel cap |
Ciaz owners on steel wheels can find the factory wheel sizes, and so the Ciaz wheel cap size, on the Ciaz alloy wheels page.
Alloy wheel cap and centre cap sizing
An alloy wheel cap is not sized by rim diameter. It is sized by the opening in the centre of the alloy, which differs between wheel designs even on the same car. Two styles exist: caps with plastic clips that snap into the bore, and caps that sit in a recess and are held by a ring of clips on the back. Measure the opening across in millimetres with a vernier, and note the clip count and style. Take an old cap to the shop if you have one. Factory centre caps may carry a part number on the back, which is the surest way to get an exact match.
How to fit a wheel cap so it stays on
- Clean the steel rim lip where the clips sit. Dried mud stops the clips from seating.
- Find the notch or cut out for the tyre valve on the back of the cap, and line it up with the valve. Never cover the valve; you need it to fill air.
- Put the top clips in first, then press around the edge with your palm, working down both sides evenly.
- Give the cap a firm tap all around so every clip clicks into the rim.
- Pull gently at the edge. A cap that moves needs another look before you drive.
Some owners add a cable tie through the steel wheel slots for extra hold on rough roads. That is fine as a temporary fix; trim the ends so they do not scratch and keep the tie away from the valve.
Why a wheel cap falls off and what to do
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Cap pops off over a speed breaker | Broken or bent clips | Replace the cap; clips cannot be glued back reliably |
| Cap rattles | Loose clip or wrong size | Check size against the tyre, refit firmly |
| Cap lost in waterlogged road | Water pressure and a weak fit | New cap fitted carefully; cable tie on rough routes |
| Cap cracked after a kerb rub | Impact on the outer edge | Replace before it breaks away at speed |
| Cap will not sit flat | Wrong size or mud on the rim lip | Clean rim, confirm cap size |
A cap that flies off at highway speed is a hazard for the vehicle behind, so do not ignore a loose one.
Original wheel cap or aftermarket
Original caps come in the factory design, colour and clip layout for your exact model. Aftermarket caps are sold by rim size and fit many cars, with a wide range of designs and finishes. What makes one cost more: thicker plastic that resists cracking in summer heat, a chrome or two tone finish, a set of four in matching design, and the maker's own packaging and part number. A cheap thin cap is the one we most often see cracked after a single monsoon. If you only lost one cap, an original one keeps all four matching.
Truck wheel cap and bus wheel cap notes
On trucks, buses and many pickups, the cap is usually a cover for the hub and axle end. It is sized by the hub, not just the rim, and is often held by the wheel nuts or by its own bolts. When buying one, carry the wheel size, the stud count and a photo of the hub, or the old cap itself. Grease leaking behind a hub cover can point to a wheel bearing problem; a mechanic should look at it, and our wheel bearing guide explains the signs.
Safety checks when you remove a cap
Taking off a wheel cap is a good chance to look at what it hides. Check that all wheel nuts are present and tight, look for rust streaks from a loose nut, and inspect the tyre sidewall near the rim for cuts or bulges. Any bulge or deep cut needs a tyre shop inspection. If you change a puncture on the roadside, put the cap in the boot rather than refitting it to the spare in a hurry. Wheel and tyre sizes for your model are on the model pages above and in our car tyre size guide.
Questions owners ask
How do I know my wheel cap size?
Read the number after R in your tyre size. A 155/80 R13 tyre needs a 13 inch cap, and a 185/65 R15 tyre needs a 15 inch cap.
Is a hubcap the same as a wheel cap?
In India the words are used for the same thing: a cover for a steel wheel. Strictly, a hubcap covers only the hub in the centre, while a wheel cover covers the whole wheel face.
Will a 14 inch cover clip onto a 13 inch steel rim?
Never. The clips cannot grip it, so it falls off. The cap size must match the rim diameter exactly.
My cover pops off every few weeks. Why?
Broken clips are the usual culprit, or the cap is the wrong size. Replace the cap and fit it with the valve notch lined up and every clip pressed home.
What is an alloy wheel hub cap?
It is the small centre cap on an alloy wheel. It is sized by the centre opening of the alloy in millimetres, not by the rim diameter.
Do wheel caps affect safety?
A loose cap can fly off and hit another vehicle, and a cap that blocks the valve makes it hard to check pressure. Fit it correctly and replace cracked caps.